Beef Tacos Corn Salsa (Printable View)
Tender beef paired with a fresh, zesty corn salsa in warm tortillas for a vibrant meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - ½ tsp chili powder
08 - ½ tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - ½ tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - ¼ cup water
→ Corn Salsa
13 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed)
14 - 1 medium ripe tomato, diced
15 - ¼ red onion, finely diced
16 - ½ jalapeño, seeded and minced
17 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Juice of 1 lime
19 - ¼ tsp salt
→ Tacos & Toppings
20 - 8 small corn tortillas (or flour tortillas)
21 - ½ cup shredded lettuce
22 - ½ cup grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
23 - ½ cup sour cream
24 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How to Prepare:
01 - In a bowl, combine corn, tomato, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Mix thoroughly and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until softened, approximately 2 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat as needed.
04 - Sprinkle ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper over the beef. Incorporate tomato paste and water, stirring well. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
06 - Spoon the beef filling evenly into each tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, grated cheese, a generous portion of corn salsa, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- They come together in under 35 minutes, which means you can go from craving tacos to eating them before your mood changes.
- The corn salsa is where the magic happens—it's bright, slightly spicy, and makes people ask what you did differently.
- Ground beef is forgiving and affordable, and once you nail the spice balance, you'll make these all summer long.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the beef fat—too much grease makes the filling slide around and tastes heavy, not bright.
- The corn salsa needs at least 10 minutes to sit so the lime juice can work its magic and everything melds together instead of tasting like separate ingredients.
- Warm tortillas matter more than you think; cold ones tear, but overheated ones become brittle and lose their tender quality.
03 -
- Toast your spices in the hot oil for a few seconds before adding beef—it wakes them up and deepens their flavor without any extra effort.
- Keep lime wedges close by; a squeeze right before eating brightens everything and makes the difference between good tacos and ones people remember.